The EU-Mercosur Agreement: a strategic boost for the Spanish agri-food sector

The recent agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, composed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, has been described by the Government as “ambitious and balanced”. According to Amparo López Senovilla, Secretary of State for Trade at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, this agreement offers “a great opportunity” for Spanish farmers and ranchers by reducing tariffs and bureaucratic obstacles in a market with more than 260 million consumers.

During a briefing chaired by López Senovilla and Ana Rodríguez Castaño, Secretary General of Agricultural Resources and Food Safety of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, explained to the professional agricultural organizations that the measures included in the agreement are carefully designed to protect sensitive products such as beef or sugar. Rodríguez Castaño stressed that Imports will be subject to tariff quotas which limit their impact on the European market.

In addition, it was assured that European food safety standards will remain unchanged, with strict controls being applied to all imported products. “Products from Mercosur will comply with strict hygiene and food quality controls,” both representatives stressed.

Key sectors such as olive oil, wine and pork will benefit especially from the elimination of export duties. The agreement is also expected to strengthen trade relations between two crucial economic blocs at a decisive moment for the global economy.

The meeting was attended by active agricultural representatives such as Asaja, COAG, UPA and Agro-food Cooperatives. The general consensus is that this agreement not only strengthens trade ties but also establishes a solid framework for advancing sustainability and strategic cooperation between the two blocs.